The Brothers Dickinson

It’s an unlikely setting for a Boxing Gym, but you can tell from the minute you walk into the Old Fire Station, home to Birtley Boxing Club, that it is a home from home to Jon-Lewis and Travis Dickinson, two unbeaten fighting brothers helping to ignite the professional boxing scene in the North East.

 

As you do, you don’t keep fighting men waiting so having deliberately got there early for our interview I was politely asked to wait a few minutes while both fighters finished their training drills under the watchful eye of trainer Ronnie Rowe.

 

First impressions, excellent. It’s obviously a tightly-knit team and not to sound too soft in what is a harsh environment it is evident that the brothers are very much a partnership and are in it for the long haul.

 

Training over, time to chat, and chat we did, both brothers more than willing to answer any question put to them.

 

I asked them about their successful amateur careers, and of course being a gentleman wait until at least two minutes before I mention the words Tony and Bellew in front of Jon-Lewis!

 

Bellew knocked out Jon-Lewis in one round in the ABA 2006 heavyweight final in one the most sickening KO’s you will ever see.

 

“Blessing in disguise”, Jon-Lewis’s brief description of this particular episode in his boxing life.

 

“I was really just an 18 year old kid fighting as a heavyweight, eating mixed grills between fights and to be honest I had not filled out and cruiserweight is my weight definitely.”

 

And so it proved a year later when Jon-Lewis captured the ABA title.

 

When I ask would he like to fight Bellew down the road, I know the answer I am going to get, he is a fighter after all, but before the words come out Dickinson younger seems keen to speak up.

 

“I would love to fight Bellew, restore family pride,” claims Travis.

 

Although it should be said both brothers are very respectful of Bellew and at no point here or during the interview do you sense any arrogance or any of the irritating ‘calling out’ of other fighters that you seem to get with other fighters.

 

Travis is also a decorated former amateur star, National Schoolboy Champion twice, Junior ABA Champion, Four Nations Champion and winner of the Presidents Trophy. A very impressive resume, although Dickinson is probably better known amateur wise for his two wins over current Commonwealth super-middleweight champ George Groves.

 

I ask Travis about this and the confidence that he exhibits throughout our time together comes through again, but again there is a healthy amount of respect.

 

“Basically, I wouldn’t be bullied, stood up to Groves and won both fights, Groves had up to that point had everything his own way and I think with me I was someone who hit him back and that’s why I won the fight.”

 

I ask Travis about the fact that it is said Groves was ill the first time they fought.

 

“Glad I beat him again then! This time within a minute, proved myself.”

 

Indeed he did and it’s worth reflecting that Dickinson is said to be the only British amateur fighter to beat Groves – an impressive feat.

 

The obvious question of a fight in the future is met with the confident answer of ‘no problem’.

 

“If it happens great, but I have nothing to prove.”

 

Confident answer, confident young man. When asked who would prevail between Degale and Groves, both brothers immediately say Groves.

 

Turning to the professional ranks both joke about not having to wear a ‘crisp box’ on their heads anymore and after initial nerves both have adapted to the pro game it would seem very easily.

 

Both talk about Frank Maloney in glowing terms.

 

“When you meet and talk to someone, sometimes you get a feeling that your going to like that person”, Jon-Lewis’s simple answer when asked about promoters.

 

Tellingly, neither saw the need to talk to anyone else once they had been approached by little Frank.

 

Obviously Prizefighter comes up in conversation, Jon-Lewis the latest cruiserweight champ in what has become a very welcome addition to the British boxing scene.

 

“I needed a challenge, I prefer challenges,” remarked Jon-Lewis when pressed about Prizefighter.

 

It is interesting to hear Jon-Lewis talk about his previous five fights where it’s fair to say he won easily without really sparkling, or showing his best form. Both brothers put this down to a number of factors, but it’s clear that both seem much happier now that they have re-united with long time amateur trainer Ronnie Rowe.

 

Would you have beaten Herbie Hide I ask?

 

“Possibly, I fancied the job.”

 

A quiet confidence, without ever being disrespectful.

 

I ask both about Commonwealth and Olympic games and what seems to be a re-occurring theme both talk about ‘not enjoying’ England training and its fair to say what we have is two lads who will not forget where they have come from and as such found it difficult with the amateur scene at times, a big reason why Travis turned pro without dipping his toes in the water at Senior ABA level.

 

I ask Travis about his last fight, against tough journeyman Hastings Rasani. Dickinson won a close fight over 6 rounds and had to endure a tough night’s work.

 

“I wasn’t fit," he admitted, honest to a fault.

 

“I had a bad night but still won, I would love to fight Rasani in a few more fights so people can see the real Travis Dickinson.”

 

Again, said with confidence. You sense both brothers are very confident in their own ability but refuse to let themselves think too far ahead.

 

When pressed about ambitions both are very keen to get more experience (starting with fights on 23rd July on the undercard of Stuey Hall’s fight with Martin Power).

 

Ultimately British titles are the main aim and then let’s see what happens from there is very much the theme of their answers.

 

You can’t have a conversation with two North East lads without at least getting in the obligatory question, Newcastle or Sunderland? To my relief, both say Newcastle. This gets me thinking how’s this for a show, Travis v Tony Jeffries and Jon-Lewis v David Dolan, classic Newcastle v Sunderland at St James Park.

 

“Not looking that far ahead, to be honest I would settle for a fight at Sacriston Community Centre!” jokes Jon-Lewis.

 

Refreshingly honest and down to earth.

 

Travis is a little more forthcoming.

 

“Bring it on; let’s see who is North East’s top dog”

 

I ask them about Maloney stablemate Jeffries and whilst respectful of his ‘toughness’ both are confident that should Travis fight him there would be only one winner.

 

When asked about favourite fighters, both say in unison ‘Ali’ and favourite current fighter is Mayweather who they believe would beat Pacquaio.

 

I ask them about the best fights they have seen.

 

“Our fights as kids!” jokes Jon-Lewis

 

When I ask who generally came out on top, neither commits only to comment that no-one really won.

 

Brotherly love some would say!

 

I put it to both that putting the North East back on the boxing map must be a motivation?

 

“Yes definitely,” claims Jon-Lewis.

 

You can see both are proud of their roots and both are eager to bring success to the area.

 

A thoroughly enjoyable half hour ends right there, I come away hopeful that we may have found two fighters who can fly the flag for North East boxing for a long time yet.

 

I’m thinking, Jon-Lewis’s skills, Travis’s power and what a great fighter you would have. Luckily for us we have two great prospects for the price of one.

 

I for one, intend to watch with interest.